SANTA CRUZ - As police continued to probe the shooting death of 12-year-old Joey Mendoza, a counselor who knew him well said Mendoza was at a transitional time in his life.

Mendoza was surrounded by gangs in his Bixby Street neighborhood, said counselor Willie Stokes, but this summer he was pursuing a newfound love of football. Mendoza's first Pop Warner game was set for Saturday at Gunderson High School in San Jose.

"I just want people to know that he was a 12-year-old kid that was trying to do something different," Stokes said of Mendoza. "He got robbed of that dream through the ignorance of gang violence."

Mendoza was shot twice in the back about 8 p.m. Wednesday as he walked home along San Lorenzo Boulevard. Police said a white van and a black Lexus were seen leaving the scene. Police found a torched van on Thursday that was linked to the shooting.

Authorities have not released suspect descriptions or said what triggered the gang-motivated attack. Police spokesman Zach Friend said late last week that investigators were deciphering conflicting information from witnesses about how many people were in the vehicles.

"Investigators are still trying to solidify that," Friend said.

Police have said Mendoza was a gang member, yet some of his family and friends denied it. They said he was trying to avoid gangs and trouble in recent months.

Stokes, executive director of the Salinas-based nonprofit Black Sheep Redemption Program, met Mendoza in May after his mother read his book, "The Testimony of a Black Sheep." His group tries to help at-risk youths.

Mendoza showed an interest in football, but he had barely touched a ball, Stokes said.

This summer, Stokes taught him football fundamentals at places like Depot Park and Mission Hill Middle School. Stokes brought his own children, ages 12 and 10, to play.

Mendoza was growing up without his father in his life and Stokes said they bonded because he had a similar situation.

Stokes doubted the Mendoza was targeted for dropping out of a gang because he believed that Mendoza had never "jumped in" or joined one. Still, gangsters were all around him.

They recently had intimidated Mendoza. They asked him if he was "lost" because they hadn't seen him in recent months, Stokes said.

"We caught him at the perfect moment where he could have gone either way," Stokes said of Mendoza. "He was trying to do something better," yet change takes time, he said.

Stokes described Mendoza as an honest, respectful kid who was trying to figure out who he was. He wanted people to remember Mendoza for his "cheesy smile" and his football passion.

Stokes said he wanted to start a scholarship fund for more children to play Pop Warner football. Just as Stokes had helped Mendoza find his $200 registration fee, Stokes said he wanted to raise money for 5-10 more kids to play youth football next season.

"I don't want his death to be in vain," said Stokes.

For more information, visit www.blacksheepredemption.org or email wstokes@blacksheepredemption.org.

Santa Cruz police ask anyone with information to call the anonymous tip line at 420-5995 or leave a tip at www.santacruzpolice.com or by the mobile application at http://m.santacruzpolice.com.